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If you're going on a months-long road trip in an RV or will be visiting multiple cities on a worldwide tour, you may want to share this experience with your small and furry family members. If your dog or cat is used to traveling with you on a daily basis, it may be easier for you to bring your pets than to board them at a kennel or with friends. Make some preparations to make the transition from home to the road easier and your pet will enjoy your long vacation as much as you will.

Information is Key

Do some emergency planning before you even start on the road. While you're planning out your travel route, check for an animal hospital or emergency veterinarian's office at each stop. Get advice from your vet about care in different areas of the country. She may have advice on places to find care for your pet or references to colleagues in different states.

Medical Care

Take your pet to the veterinarian's office for a complete checkup. Make sure your dog or cat is up to date on its immunizations. Get a hard copy of your pet's shot records and place it with the other important papers you will be carrying, such as insurance forms and vehicle titles. If you haven't done so already, have a microchip implanted into your pet to aid in finding it, in case it gets lost. In addition, have a name and phone number tag made up and attach it to your pet's collar.

Bring the Familiar

Pets don't like to have their lives disrupted, for the most part. Give your pet as many familiar items as possible to give it a sense of security. Pack bags of its usual food to avoid upset stomachs, and make sure you can purchase it on the road if you don't have room for multiple packages. Bring your pet's favorite toys for distraction on the road, and pack a beloved blanket to help it settle down at night. If your cat gets nervous sleeping in a strange place, try using a calming collar impregnated with soothing herbs. The scent will relax your cat, allowing it to sleep.

Give It Some Space

Animals are territorial and feel safest if they have their own space. Many dogs and cats choose the same spot for their daily naps, and going on the road upsets this pattern. If you will be traveling in an RV, dedicate one special spot to your pet. Arrange its blanket in the spot to let it know where it should sleep, and always put your pet there at night. If you'll be in multiple hotel rooms, give your pet some way to recognize its own space. Always put the litter box in the shower or make a bed in the corner directly across from the door. No matter how you're traveling, try to give your pet a bit of routine.

Safety and Comfort

While movies and commercial might picture dogs hanging out the window with their ears flapping in the breeze, this is generally an unsafe practice for your pet on the road. Purchase a crate for your dog or cat's travel comfort and safety. Cats and smaller dogs can travel in smaller, soft-sided crates. while larger animals will need a hard-shelled variety. Crates keep pets from popping out car windows, as well as giving them a secure place to sleep in hotel rooms and campsites.

Keep Them Hydrated

Just like human beings, pets need to keep hydrated on vacation, especially with the extra heat inside a car on a summer day. Give you pet water before going for a walk to give it a chance to settle before going back into the car. Offer fresh water every two hours when on the road, and always keep a bowl of water available whenever you stop for the night.

References

About the Author

Working in sunny Florida, Anne Baley has been writing professionally since 2009. Her home and lifestyle articles have been seen on Coldwell Banker and Gardening Know How. Baley has published a series of books teaching how to live a frugal life with style and panache.